Medicam to Continue Supporting Karachi Cricket Talent Hunt

Karachi: (Staff Reporter) – Chairman Medicam Group of Companies Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the Regional Cricket Association Karachi’s (RCAK) Talent Hunt Programme and promoting cricket among young players.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Woodward Trophy Under-17 Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament at KCCA Stadium, Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala said Medicam Group would continue sponsoring the Talent Hunt Programme and work alongside RCAK to provide opportunities to emerging cricketers.

He said that he and his son, RCAK President Nadeem Omar, had remained committed to the development of cricket in Karachi. He added that returning to the Talent Hunt Programme after 26 years was a particularly joyful experience for him.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said young cricketers should regularly play club cricket because it provides valuable experience and helps players develop their skills. He said he still represents his club, Pakistan Cricket Club, in Zone VI.

Sarfaraz recalled that he had also participated in the Talent Hunt tournaments organised in collaboration with Medicam Group of Companies, representing Zone VI as a young player. He said it was a pleasure to meet Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala again after nearly 26 years.

RCA Karachi Vice President Syed Muhammad Talha praised the Nanitalwala family for its longstanding interest in sports. He said the family’s contribution to the promotion of cricket was exemplary and encouraged young cricketers in Karachi.

RCA Karachi Tournament Committee Chairman Khalid Nafees said Sarfaraz Ahmed had once participated in the Talent Hunt Programme as a player and was now attending the event as a guest to encourage the next generation. He also advised young cricketers to give equal importance to their education alongside sports.

RCA Karachi Joint Secretary Muhammad Touseef Siddiqui said the first phase of the Talent Hunt Programme, the Touchme Trophy Under-15 Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament, had been successfully completed. He said the second phase, the Woodward Trophy Under-17 Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament, was now underway and efforts would be made to complete it successfully within the scheduled timeframe.

He particularly thanked Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala for his continued support for Karachi cricket and the Regional Cricket Association Karachi.

In the tournament’s opening match, Zone VI Whites defeated Zone V Green by 303 runs. Batting first, Zone VI Whites posted 390 for 2, with Soman Kabir and Rayan Khan producing outstanding centuries.

Soman Kabir remained unbeaten on 167, including 18 fours and three sixes, while Rayan Khan scored 100 with 11 fours and two sixes. The opening pair added 252 runs together. Abdullah Javed also contributed an unbeaten 68, featuring seven fours and a six.

Chasing 391, Zone V Green were dismissed for 87 runs. Durrain Faraz claimed four wickets for 26 runs, while Soman Kabir took two wickets for just one run.

A large number of cricket officials, players and distinguished guests attended the ceremony, including Javed Akhtar Kiani, Azam Khan, Muhammad Majid Khan, Muhammad Khurram Ashraf, Syed Muhammad Ahmed Naqvi, Zafar Ahmed, Rehan Siddiqui, Afzal Qureshi, Arif Waheed Khan, Zafar Khan, Umar Touseef, Naushad Khan, Khalid Abbasi, M Tariq Hafeez, Zamin Ali, Shahbaz Qureshi, Zeb Iqbal, Sagheer Ahmed, Rashid Ahmed, Muhammad Nizam, Ejaz Pachi, Parvez Hussain and Naveed-ul-Amin.